Flood-ravaged Quang Ninh Province has suffered an estimated VND500bn in lost production for Vietnam's coal industry.

Quang Ninh's coal industry suffers from floods

Heavy rains flooded coal mines of several companies, including Quang Hanh and Mong Duong. Railway lines for coal trains have been closed. Mining machinery and infrastructure had been destroyed.

Flooding destroyed a dyke and swept away 7,000 tonnes of coal from Ha Lam Coal Company. On July 29, a huge amount of coal from Ha Rang Storage and the Storage 1 was swept into the Dien Vong River. Coc Sau Coal Company estimates it will take five days before production can resume.

Le Minh Chuan, CEO of Vietnam National Coal-Mineral Industries (Vinacomin), ordered its member companies to cooperate with authorities. Vinacomin and provincial authorities are providing VND185m in relief, while Hon Gai Coal Company gave VND80m to the families of four workers who died during the flooding.

The deputy head of the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Cao Quoc Hung, is overseeing recovery work. He has ordered the evacuation of endangered zones and ordered in emergency supplies to isolated areas.

Quang Ninh is Vietnam's biggest coal basin. On July 26, 260mm of rain was recorded in Quang Ninh’s Cua Ong ward, 200mm in Ha Long city and Van Don district and about 100mm in Dong Trieu town.

Days of rain caused flash floods and landslides which have left 23 dead and missing in Quang Ninh Province, along with property losses estimated at more than VND1 trillion (US$45.8 million).